Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-11-26
FOLLOWING UP A CLEW.

E
On the day when she felt her end ap-
preaching and that life was slowly leav.
ing her, Just as the oil in her china lamp
gently sank on winters night, Mile.
Aglae put her skinny hands upon the head
Of her pug Mira and shed cupious tears,
after which, turning to her faithful SER
want, Gertrude, she said in q weak, sad
voice:
81 am leaving You all my fortune, Ger
trude, but on condition that, when am
gone, you will take the same care Of
Mira rs have done. The poor creature
will need all your affection 70 console her
for my loss. Swear to me that death
alone will separate you from herr"
Gertrude swore on all that she held
most dear, that is upon the remains of her
parrot LeOcadie, which she had sadly seen
depart this life from the effects Of q too
rash indulgence In parsley, and which the
skill of taxidermist had enabled her to
| preserve, upon gilded perch. with wide
spread wings, in the ecstatic attitude OF q
parrot winging its light to better
world.
Mile. Aglae died peacefully after this,
for she well knew that the pledge would
be sacredly kept. Her confidence was not
misplaced, as Gertrude was woman OF
her word, and the whole town OF Brique-
Vile was edited by the conscientious zeal
she displayed in carrying out her mis-
tress' last wishes. Never had quadru-
ped been the object Of more delicate at
tent!onr nor OF more unremltting kind
hess than was this precious pug OF Mile.
Aglae Not only did 1t have at all times
on its plate food that would have sausned
nine out OF every ten human beings but
II was watched over and Petted to such an
extent that no child could have desired .
happier existence, Its wardrobe con-
sisted Of about twenty coats, jackets and
dresses, the making and hitting OF which
were to Gertrude q labor OF love she
had prepared clothes for the animal suita-
BILE TO all kinds OF weather, ana in dress
Ing the creature she guided herself closely
by the indications OF the thermometer
hanging upon the window frame.
The consequences OF this kind OF living
were not long IN coming. Az the end OF
year Mira died from the effects OF pie
thora OF health,
Great and sincere was Gertrudes grief
She broke the set OF her nnest dozen OF
towels to shroud the icy remains OF her
friend. Then, as she reflected that she
did not know what to do with the dead
animal, she became prey to the most
poignant anguish.
| In truth. she WAS at loss as TO what to
do. Bury the remains In the garden! No,
she could not muster up the courage TO 90
have afflicted her with an incurable
melancholy. Where then would she put
the pet' In the depth OF her despair an
inspiration flashed, lightning like, through
her mind: the kind Monsieur Gregoire,
the beadie OF SAINT Ursuias chnrch,
would assist her IN this' her hour OF sor-
row. he was SO good, 50 oohging! With
out moments delay she dispatched
lad, her neiehbOr's son, with message,
begging him to come to see her lmmedi-
ately. Half an hour later NJ. GresOire
| arrived.
He found the unfortunate Gertrude in
the parlor, the blinds OF which were
closed, and which, by four lighted tapers,
was formed into Kind OF mortuary
chapel. She was seated upon lounge,
where, wrapped IN us white tower as II III
q winding sneet, the pug lay stretched out
on Its back. Somewhat moved by the
sight, NJ. Greeoire doffed his hat.
He was about to cross himself, when,
with sign, Mile. Gertrude stopped him.
In q few words, intermingled with sobs,
she related her troubles and explained
what she expected OF him.
Especially concluded she, Il wish
you to bury the body far from here, and
to keep me in ignorance OF the spot, Tor II
l knew where to find the grave would
80 every day and wear my eyes out IN
weeping over 1t.
M Gregoire promised all that was
asked.
Il Will come TINS evening", said ne,
"after dark, to take away the body. As
you know, people are 20 funny! Seeing